Grant Featherston (1922-1995) was born in Geelong Victoria. Self-taught, he designed lighting and glass panels before serving in the army from 1940-1944. Returning to Melbourne in peace-time, he produced the first of his famous plywood shell Contour chairs in 1951.
Featherston Contract Interiors furniture showroom opened in 1956, and in 1957 he became a consultant to Aristoc Industries, a partnership which endured for the following 13 years. His most consistent companion however, in both personal life and design, was his wife Mary Featherston, who worked with Grant on many projects including the fit-out of the National Gallery of Victoria in the mid 1960’s. Since Grant’s death, Mary has specialised in the development and design of play and learning environments in children’s centres, primary and secondary schools.
Grant was a foundation member of the Society of Designers for Industry, the forerunner to the Design Institute of Australia.